Bengaluru: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) veterinary officer recruitment examination has uncovered a financial trail involving candidates, middlemen and officials, while investigators have alleged that 60 to 80 questions from each paper were leaked before the examination.

The investigation relates to the recruitment examination for 400 veterinary officer posts in Karnataka’s Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department. The case involves allegations of question-paper leakage, OMR sheet manipulation and payments made by candidates seeking appointments.

According to investigators, candidates were allegedly provided questions in advance and made to practise them before appearing for the examination. The alleged leakage took place at villas in a gated community near Devanahalli, where candidates were reportedly taken by middlemen.

CID questions 40 candidates in recruitment case

The CID has so far questioned 40 candidates, of whom 29 have reportedly been named as accused in the FIR, according to official sources cited in recent reports.

The investigation has focused on the alleged links between candidates, middlemen and suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who served as the KPSC Controller of Examinations from February 2024 to March 2026.

Gangwar was arrested by the CID on August 29 in connection with the case and was subsequently remanded to judicial custody. The Enforcement Directorate has also taken up the alleged money-laundering aspects of the case and arrested Gangwar and middleman Basavaraj Kannale in September.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.

60-80 questions allegedly leaked before exam

One of the major findings reported by the CID concerns the alleged leakage of questions before the examination.

Investigators reportedly found that around 60 to 80 questions from each question paper were supplied to candidates in advance.

The candidates were allegedly taken to three villas in a gated community near Devanahalli, where they were made to practise answering the questions before appearing for the examination.

According to the investigation, three cars were allegedly used to transport candidates to the villas and later to the examination centres.

CID officials searched one of the villas as part of the investigation. Searches were also conducted at the residences of alleged middlemen Pavan and Omprakash.

An OMR sheet and two mobile phones were reportedly seized from Omprakash’s residence. Investigators are examining the electronic devices and other material collected during the searches.

Money trail under investigation

The financial transactions surrounding the alleged recruitment irregularities have become another major focus of the investigation.

According to the CID, candidates allegedly transferred money to accounts linked to middlemen. Investigators have traced deposits totalling ₹92 lakh from candidates into accounts associated with the alleged network.

The agency has reportedly frozen withdrawals involving ₹69.20 lakh, including ₹64 lakh in a cooperative bank account and ₹5.20 lakh in a private bank account.

Investigators have also examined the bank accounts of Basavaraj Kannale and his wife. Withdrawals amounting to ₹71.18 lakh from their accounts were reportedly frozen, while ₹5.76 lakh in cash was allegedly seized from Kannale.

These figures represent amounts identified or acted upon during the investigation and should not be treated as the final value of any alleged scam until the probe is completed.

Aspirants allegedly paid middlemen

The CID investigation has alleged that some candidates paid substantial amounts in the hope of securing veterinary officer appointments.

A separate report by The Indian Express said the investigation found that 11 of 329 aspirants had allegedly paid between ₹35 lakh and ₹80 lakh to middleman Basavaraj Kannale for recruitment to the 400 veterinary officer posts.

Investigators are examining bank transactions, communication records and other evidence to establish how money moved between candidates and alleged intermediaries.

The probe has also reportedly found WhatsApp communication between candidates, middlemen and Kannale. Mobile phones belonging to candidates have been seized and are being examined as part of the investigation.

Alleged links to KPSC officials under scrutiny

The investigation has also focused on the alleged connection between middlemen and people associated with the KPSC examination process.

Call-record and IPDR analysis reportedly established communication between Gangwar and Kannale before and after the veterinary officer examination.

The CID has also seized records relating to communications concerning the preparation of the examination question paper.

Gangwar’s residence was searched and records were reportedly collected during the investigation. Investigators are also auditing bank accounts as part of efforts to establish the complete financial trail.

Several accused remain under investigation

The investigation has widened beyond the candidates and the two arrested individuals.

According to officials, look-out circulars have been issued against suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar, former KPSC member Shanta Hosamani, middleman Prem Kumar, Omkar Kamshetty and his wife Lakshmi Nagare, who has been identified as the president of Om Lakshmi Souharda Cooperative Society.

Sahukar has been issued a notice, and his anticipatory bail application was reportedly rejected by the Karnataka High Court. His residence has also been searched as part of the investigation.

The allegations against each individual will have to be established through the ongoing investigation and subsequent judicial proceedings.

High Court orders fresh SIT probe

The KPSC recruitment case has also reached the Karnataka High Court.

On September 21, the High Court ordered a fresh investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior IPS officers into the alleged veterinary recruitment scam. The court declined a request to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The development comes as the CID investigation continues to examine the alleged question-paper leak, OMR manipulation, financial transactions and the role of candidates, middlemen and officials.

ED probes money-laundering angle

The Enforcement Directorate is separately investigating the alleged money-laundering aspects of the recruitment case.

The ED arrested suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar and middleman Basavaraj Kannale after questioning them in connection with the suspected illegal financial transactions.

The ED investigation is expected to examine whether money allegedly collected from aspirants was routed through different accounts or used for other purposes.

A CID investigation had earlier been ordered after allegations of question-paper leakage and OMR sheet manipulation surfaced in connection with the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers.

Probe to establish full extent of alleged irregularities

The latest findings indicate that investigators are examining the case on multiple fronts — from the alleged advance circulation of examination questions to payments by candidates and possible links involving officials and middlemen.

The reported tracing of bank transactions and seizure of electronic devices could help investigators establish the sequence of events and identify other people who may have been involved.

However, the figures and allegations emerging from the investigation are not equivalent to proven offences. The accused persons will have the opportunity to contest the allegations through the legal process.

With the High Court now directing a fresh SIT probe and the ED separately examining the financial angle, the KPSC veterinary officer recruitment case is expected to remain under investigation as authorities work to establish the full extent of the alleged examination irregularities.